impression

The feeling or opinion that someone or something creates in your mind.

• She made a good impression.
• My first impression of the hotel was positive.
• The visit left a lasting impression on the children.

How to use it: make an impression on someone (Her speech made a strong impression on me.); an impression of someone/something (What was your first impression of the city?)

Similar words: take

Common phrases: first impression, make an impression, lasting impression

A belief or memory about something that you are not completely sure is correct.

• I had the impression that you were busy.
• Were you under the impression that lunch was free?
• He has only a vague impression of that childhood holiday.

How to use it: have/get the impression that… (I got the impression that he wanted to leave.); be under the impression that… (She was under the impression that the shop closed at six.)

Similar words: idea, belief, notion

Common phrases: under the impression, get the impression, vague impression

A mark left when something is pressed into a surface.

• The boot left an impression in the mud.
• She pressed the coin into wax to make an impression.
• We found several impressions of animal feet in the wet sand.

How to use it: an impression of something in something (There was an impression of a leaf in the clay.)

Similar words: imprint, indentation

Common phrases: leave an impression, impression in something, deep impression